“My Bliss is KNOWLEDGE, yours is IGNORANCE,” is a quote I made that, despite having struck my friends – whether they’re online or in person – is one they respect. For several years it has been like this. As I was seeking for answers and looking for truths regarding life, I was disappointed and dismayed. I learned that truths are only illusions. I learned that each and everyone of us has truths of their own, one which if anyone dares to question, would surely make for long and exhaustive arguments. We have different perspective regarding things. Yes of course, for we are all different individuals, and yet we must not forget we belong to what we call the rational animals. However, some of us never use that ability. Instead, we just nod and follow what other rational beings are telling us. Most of us are afraid to ask the WHY and the WHAT question: Why are we supposed to follow what others are telling us?What’s the purpose?

In this case, what we call rational beings are like puppets controlled by those people who are self-centered, and deceptive rational people. Those who are only concerned for one thing: to satisfy their greed for power.

Some people do think in the context What and the Why, but they forget to rationalize and evaluate. Instead, they jump from one thought to another without weighing things using their critical thinking. Or did they have the ability to do so to begin with? So what exactly am I pointing out here, you may ask.

Let me just tell you that there is a kind of philosophical view-point about how people should think or the way people should think. This view is called freethinking, which holds that “opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, or dogma.” It is a way of thinking distanced from any bias and prejudice, especially those of religious beliefs. It is a cognitive application of free thought.

Sadly, we Filipinos lack this kind of thinking, for our minds have been tuned to follow what our elders and our forefathers say without question. We accept things we never tried evaluating for ourselves. It is the result of hundreds of years in the hands of these self-centered and closed-minded people, who brainwashed our forefathers. Until now we’re in bondage to this blurred form of thinking, yet, we do have people who fight against this. Much like what our national hero did before, we dreamed of a country free from religious bigots and political tyrants.

We hope for a country of freethinking people, regardless of beliefs. Like what Gautama Buddha said:

Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumour; nor upon what is in scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another’s seeming ability; nor upon the consideration…

Do not accept anything by mere tradition… Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures… Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your preconceived notions.. But when you know for yourselves–these things are moral, these things are blameless, these things are praised by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to well-being and happiness– then do you live accordingly.

This is what freethinking is about, but most of us Filipinos misunderstand it.

I would like to share a short poem I made.

New Beginning

Enchanting thoughts of todayUndermines traditional religious faith of yesterdayGenerations of thinkers are now dawningEnticing everyone to grasp freethinkingNorth, south, east, and westEnclosed with new thoughts for their quest.Change is inevitable, like death it will comeAmidst of it, we must stand firm and be calmMake most of what you haveAnd do more…Cease absurdity and be productiveHurry up~ before its lateOpen up your mind and start a New Beginning..

Will you have the courage of going out of your comfort zone?

Or die with your ignorance?

DISCLAIMER: The opinions in this post do not necessarily represent the position of the Filipino Freethinkers.

Really enjoyed post. I'm wondering if anyone could offer me any more insight…

As an American college student, I am aware of similar narrow minded, or funneled paradigms held by many American populations, relating to region, generation or a multitude of other classifications. As you stated, there is a common misconception of "free thought." This misconception seems to have similar forms in other regions. Can you (or anyone) help me understand what exactly differentiates the Filipino misconception? What is unique to this culture which breeds a misconception?

Although indoctrinated by catholic dogma , reason , common sense will always suspect contradictory teacings. Its never too late to find out the truth ,I have started stubbornly late and have considered myself on the path to enlightenment. Simple men with simple education can rise up and sincerely search for the truth,admittingly sad to discover that all your life you have lived a life full of superstition and false beliefs.

what is great about the buddha is that he did not stop at logic and reason. in the same kamala sutra, he also advised his disciples not to accept a view just because it is logical and rational. perhaps that buddha knew that logic and reason – though very useful tools – do not always reflect what is true; that the logical and rational is not necessarily equivalent to the real.

but don't get me wrong, me being skeptical about science doesn't mean i'm taking the side of religion.

Back to the point, so what if you were in a Catholic school? I've been in one from elementary (Santo Nino Elementary) until college (University of Santo Tomas), and religion has been shoved down my throat every grade and every semester. But that didn't stop me from thinking rationally, from doubting the existence of God, and finally, accepting the fact that there's just no Big Guy In The Sky.
That comes from thinking and reasoning, not just blindly accepting anything that anyone tells you.
Also, it helps that you're not delusional. Might as well believe in The Flying Spaghetti Monster, or the Invisible Pink Unicorn, while you're into having Imaginary Friends.

In my case, I was lucky to have studied in two Jesuit-run schools. They had a very liberal concept of theology compared to the rest of the RP Catholic church, and one value they always promoted in the theo and philo classes was the ability to think for one's self.

They enjoyed having debates with the students – most of our philo and theo final exams were verbal discussions with the proffs. I've heard of cases where students got good grades even if their argument were contrary to the theology, so long as they properly elaborated on why they disagreed with it.

Those exams were hard as hell, but I appreciate that they forced us to learn the value critical thinking, and questioning unreasonable dogma.

On the flip side, a friend of mine from an Opus-Dei run school mentioned that he almost flunked one class just because he didn't agree with the theology, regardless of how well-reasoned his argument is.

In either case, the school we come from can have very different ways of nurturing doubt and skeptical thinking.

There is nothing wrong accepting and following what other rational people say. If after questioning what they say you find it to yourself that it is true then why not accept it. For example: somebody discovered the law of gravity. Then you questions what he discovered and observed it. Finally you found out that it is absolutely true. Then there is nothing wrong in accepting that. There is nothing wrong in accepting reality. Reality is absolute. What is wrong is to evade it. The point is the full use of thinking or reason. It is absolutely free and every human beings have it. Everybody is free to use it or not to use it. But if you use it, be sure to use it properly. It is the proper use of that potential power– THINKING, that matters.